my first week in Ashburn, VA USA

friday last week, around 800pm, our (i am w/ mark) plane from detroit landed washington dc. we were picked up by rene and noel and we headed to the apartment and reached the place in 15 minutes. i was thinking then that it'll be a long 6 weeks. well, not really. one week is over! today, another batch will be coming - randy, mike and pattie. well, i guess for mike and pattie, it'll be really long. they're stayin' for 3 months!

our trip to japan was very nice. and japan was a really interesting place. what's most fun was, i got DoCoMo signal. we only stayed there for an hour or so and we boarded the same plane for our loooonnnngggg trip to the US. i was able to sleep every now and then but it was so uncomfortable. and i get hungry every 2 hours... maybe since i don't have anything else to do but wait for food. crap... i should've brought along some chocolates or crackers with me. when we landed detroit, i knew we didn't have much time left to catch our connecting flight to DC. true enough, we had to rebook. luckily, we got accomodated at 530pm flight with $5 meal coupon. and all i got was some mcDonald's meal. then we waited.. and waited.. the plane took off around 645pm. crap again.

anyways, after a week, i think i've adjusted well already. our apartment is nice, i got my own room (until pattie arrives which is later) w/ my own bath. we've also got a van except for half of thursday and friday... and drivers (don, alwyn and noel)... and cooks (rene, alwyn & don). neat! a pool and jacuzzi is nearby - and yeah we can use it. we also got a gym which i won't be using even if i can. weather is comfortably nice... it's usually between 17C-23C for the past few days. not sure though when july comes - they say it's going to be hot. office is 5 minutes away by car and 15 minutes when we walk... and i got a laptop to use (i still ordered one with webcam so my little gabriel will see me everyday). everything is good, except that i don't have my family with me. maybe next time (if there is a next time).

so far, here's what i did/i've been doing for the past few days:

• went to visit circuit city & best buy so dax will be *inggit*
• grocery shopping at giant, walmart and grand mart
• heard mass at Christ the Redeemer
• shopped at marshalls
• went swimming with don, mark and alwyn
• reported for work of course
• chat
• updated my blog
• call home
• sleep
• play wii
• watch tv
• eat
• cook (help cook is more appropriate)
• help whoever needs assistance in cooking, dishwashing
• operated the washing machine and dryer (just operated, yes)
• walk around
• eat out

that's it! that's my life... until i get back home!